I
now work in mixed media, having previously mainly worked in
watercolour. This requires initially building up a number of layers of
thick paint, which I work into with different implements to produce
interesting marks and scratches. This is how I start, and it’s
interesting to use unusual colours at this stage, as they get buried
into the painting to be revealed later. Once there is a good heavy build
up of paint, I find that by taking away and reducing some of the top
layers some lovely surprises and jewel like colours from below are
revealed and this directs the painting to the next level. From this
point I am influenced by what’s been revealed from below and this will
give me ideas on where to take the design of the painting . Sometimes
there is a clear way forward and the design is quite obvious, other
times it takes many hours of thought before the final piece comes to
fruition and I’m happy with the result.
I enjoy using paint and other materials to produce work
which has sweeping brushmarks, deep dark depths, patterns of light,
colour and strong contrast. Variations in the light areas and surprises
coming up through the layers feed into the general ambiance of the
painting. In some of the paintings I will add collage, sometimes
concealed in the depths of the layers and other times sitting within the
top layer, adding colour, shape or texture to my paintings. I usually
work on several paintings in a series at the same time and each one
inspires and directs the others.
My paintings are inspired by my walks and trips in the landscapes of Scotland, particularly the Highlands and rugged coastlines of the West coast. Changes in the weather and the seasonal colours are an endless fascination and stimulation.
